Denmark

Crown Prince Frederik takes on a monarch's duty while Queen Margrethe undergoes surgery

Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark has taken on some monarchical duties while his mother was away with medical issues. Crown Prince Frederik started serving as Queen Margrethe II’s regent on Tuesday, 21 February, while she has been unable to carry out her regular duties.  On Wednesday, 22 February, the Crown Prince received several ambassadors while serving as regent. Frederik…
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History

Habsburg jaw caused by intermarrying

A group of fourteen surgeons and geneticists have confirmed that the distinctive Habsburg chin in the Spanish Royal Family resulted from their inbreeding.  The Habsburg dynasty dates back to the eleventh century when the Counts of Habsburg ruled areas of present-day Switzerland. Through successive generations of advancement and intermarriage with different royal families, branches of the…
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FashionQueen CamillaState & Ceremonial

The Cullinan Diamonds - the gems that will take the lead role at the Coronation of Queen Camilla

There will be several important pieces and jewels on display at King Charles and Queen Camilla’s Coronation on 6 May at Westminster Abbey. Three stones, in particular, will be on display in the Abbey when The Queen wears Queen Mary’s crown, the Cullinan Diamonds. Buckingham Palace has officially announced that Queen Mary’s crown has been removed from the Tower of London, where it is…
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Belgium

King Philippe of Belgium and his unique relationship with the church

King Philippe of Belgium will be marking a decade of kingship in July 2023; he took the throne after his father abdicated in 2013. Philippe’s role as sovereign has a different relationship with the church than many other monarchs. Belgium does not have a state church. As of 2018, over 60% of Belgians identify as Christian, with 57% of the population identifying as Catholic. As monarch…
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